When I had Paul Lantuch and Vince Crowley for supper last week, one of the conversations we had was around the time taken to engrave their respective .600 sidelock rifles. Vince was shaking his head at what Paul had achieved in the same time frame he was working on. When I showed him this rifle, that had also been completed in that time frame Vince shook his head even harder in amazement.
To be fair there are 2 very different styles engraving involved here, each engraver has a very different style and finish to their engraving. Later this will become apparent when I show Vince's latest work and the attention to polish and detail become evident all which is a very time consuming detail.
Tomorrow this rifle goes down to St Ledger for case colour hardening and once again the decision will have to be made 'colour on or colour off'. I always liked the deluxe R. B. Rodda rifles which were carved engraved and left with colour on, so I am possibly biased. We will judge when it gets back!
The rifle is a Westley Richards .500 3" NE hand detachable lock double rifle, 2 triggers, automatic selective ejectors, manual safe.
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Simon Clode on June 30, 2016 at 10:31 pm
I agree with the B&W photos but many fine guns do have case colour! The guns have to case colour hardened (We case colour all our guns, we don’t use other cheaper heat treatment methods) This gives the benefit of seeing the rifle with colour and judging then!
Simon
Byron Christie on June 28, 2016 at 11:53 pm
My Heavens Simon, WR has really acheived a standard of excellence. I congratulate you for your vision and your craftsmen for their dedication to that excellence.